Chair

ABSTRACT

A chair includes a unitary body generally forming two side portions, a seat portion supported by the two side portions at the top, the unitary body having the generalized shape of an inverted “U”, the two side portions configured to contact the floor along bottom edges, the bottom edges including a curvature along the length of the edges to allow rocking motion of the chair while a user is seated on the seat portion.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/889,035, entitled Desk Jockey to inventor Sean Martin-Hamburger onAug. 19, 2019, which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a seating apparatus.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Many chairs and seats exist however each has its own set of drawbacks.Some encourage sitting in a specified position while others, such asrocking chairs encourage movement. Many rocking chairs do not requiremuch movement by the body which may be beneficial to helping maintainattention versus falling asleep. Also, conventional rocking chairs areoften styled in a traditional rocking chair mode.

Accordingly, there is a need for a chair that encourages movement of thebody while sitting and provides a desired aesthetic.

SUMMARY

An illustrative embodiment relates to a chair. The chair includes aunitary body generally forming two side portions, a seat portionsupported by the two side portions at the top, the unitary body havingthe generalized shape of an inverted “U”, the two side portionsconfigured to contact the floor along bottom edges, the bottom edgesincluding a curvature along the length of the edges to allow rockingmotion of the chair while a user is seated on the seat portion.

Another illustrative embodiment relates to a chair. The chair includestwo side portions and a seat portion supported by the two side portionsat the top, the two side portions and the seat portion together formingthe generalized shape of an inverted “U”. The chair also includes twoedges of the side portions configured to contact the floor along bottomedges of the side portions. The edges include a curvature along thelength of the edges to allow rocking motion of the chair while a user isseated on the seat portion.

Still another illustrative embodiment relates to a chair. The chairincludes two side means and a seat means supported by the two side meansat the top, the two side means and the seat means together forming thegeneralized shape of an inverted “U”. The chair also includes two edgemeans of the side means configured to contact the floor along bottomedge means of the side means. The edge means include a curvature alongthe length of the edge means to allow rocking motion of the chair whilea user is seated on the seat means.

Further features, advantages, and areas of applicability will becomeapparent from the description provided herein. It should be understoodthat the description and specific examples are intended for purposes ofillustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, withemphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of thedisclosed embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair in accordance with anillustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the chair of FIG. 1 in accordance with anillustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2.1 is a front view of the chair of FIG. 1 in accordance with analternative illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the chair of FIG. 1 in accordance with anillustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the chair of FIG. 1 in accordance with anillustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4.1 is a top view of the chair of FIG. 1 in accordance with analternative illustrative embodiment;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description explains, by way of illustration only and notof limitation, various embodiments of a chair are described.

Illustrative embodiments relate to a chair that through its useencourages and stimulates gentle, continuous movement of the spine andpelvis. When sitting, the movement for the user is not just forwards andbackwards but also side to side. Illustrative embodiments provide achair that is beautiful, functional and playful.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an illustrative embodiment of the chair is abent plywood (or any other similarly malleable material such as but notlimited to plastic, metal or other manufactured materials e.g., carbonfiber) multi-directional rocking chair. Its shape allows the user to sitin two positions; “western” (straddling the chair) or “side-saddle”(user sits with both legs on the same side of the chair).

Sitting western allows for rocking forwards and backwards and sittingside-saddle allows for side to side rocking. This gentle and varieddirectional rocking is not only beneficial to the health of the user'sspine, pelvis and overall posture but alleviates boredom and stiffeningof the body that can often occur in a standard office environment.

The illustrative chair includes an inset handle 1, a seat 2, and sides 3having compound, concave curvatures. Side 3 also forms a curved edge 4for rocking of the chair, each of the curved edges 4 optionallyincluding a stopper 5 located along the curved edge. Stopper 5 mayeither prevent a user from rocking the chair too far where they risktipping it over or provides the user with a tactile indication that theyhave rocked in one direction far enough and should rock back the otherway. The illustrative chair also includes a seating area 6 on which theuser sits in virtually any direction because there is no back.

The shape of the chair is generally an inverted “U”. The sides havecompound and concave curvature, wider at the base than at the top andbent slightly inwards in the center. This inward curvature allows theuser to better grip the chair with their thighs in the western positionand have their feet in a natural sitting position when sittingside-saddle.

All measurements in the drawings are in inches. Each dimension is shownin a range to demonstrate the various sizes that the chair maypreferably be manufactured however, the invention is not limited tothese dimensions and other dimensions may be applied without departingfrom the scope of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an illustrative front view of the chair isdepicted. The chair includes a rounded seat configuration in which theseat portion has a continuous curvature. FIG. 2.1 depicts the same frontview as FIG. 2 but includes a flat seat in accordance with analternative embodiment. Accordingly, other seat portion configurationsmay be envisioned without departing from the scope of the invention, forexample, without being limiting, seat portion may include a depressedregion.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a side view of the chair is depicted showinginset handles 1 and the seat 2. Side 3 preferably is formed with acompound, concave curvature to make the seat comfortable and attractive.The curved edge 4 is formed with an eased curve for comfortable rocking.Curved edg 4 may also be optionally be formed with a stopper 5 coupledthereto with functions as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an illustrative top view of the chair shows atwo-handle configuration which includes two handle apertures formedadjacent opposing ends of the seat. FIG. 4.1 depicts an alternativeillustrative embodiment that includes a single handle apertureconfiguration. Any handle configuration may be used including but notlimited to the chair having no handles, without departing from the scopeof the invention.

The chair is not limited to these specifications disclosed in thedrawings. Its manufacturable dimensions may preferably be within theranges as described in the drawings, however not limited thereto.

An example of one specific illustrative embodiment is described belowand the dimensions listed below are provided for example only and arenot deemed as limiting. The shape of the chair is that of an inverted“U”. The term “sides” refers to the vertical lines of the U shape andthe term “seating area” refers to the curved part of the U. The heightof the example embodiment is 19″. In this embodiment, the distancebetween the two sides, where it touches the floor, is 19½″. The seatingarea has a length of 19¾″. The front and back of the seating area have awidth of 11½″ at the edges. The seating area width is 10½″ in thecenter. There are handles on both sides of the seating area. The handlesare made by cutting out a shape through the thickness of the surface ofthe seating area. These handles are inset from the edge of the seatingarea by 1¼″. The length of the handle is 6½″ by a width of 1⅜″. In theexample embodiment, the distance between the two handles is 14⅝″.

The sides have compound, concave curvatures which allow the user tobetter grip the chair with their thighs in the western position and havetheir feet and legs in a natural sitting position when sittingside-saddle. The height of the sides is 17½″ tall and curve into theseating area. The width of the sides is 20″ at the top and 22¾″ at itswidest point which sits 5¾″ above the bottom. The remaining 5¾″ of thesides of the example embodiment are gentle curved as they approach andtouch the floor. The space between the two sides is 19½″ in the middlewhere they touch the floor.

The example embodiment of the chair is made from 5 layers of ⅛″ bendableplywood plus a top layer of veneer. These layers are glued together andpressed into either a 1-part vacuum mold or a 2-part standard steel moldand left to dry/set into the proper form. When they are fully set, theplywood is removed and the profile of the chair is cut out to theaforementioned dimensions, either by multi axis CNC (computer numericalcontrol) or by hand using a jigsaw or hand saw. The handles are then cutout either using a CNC or by hand, using a forstner bit and jigsaw orhandsaw. Finally, all edges are passed over with sandpaper to ensure asmooth touch and rocking motion.

The resulting chair has many desirable characteristics including but notlimited to the following:

-   -   1. A chair that allows for continuous rocking movement, forwards        and backwards, as well as side to side.    -   2. A chair that enhances movement in the lumbar part of the        spine.    -   3. A chair that can be stacked.    -   4. A chair that has one or two handles for carrying the chair.    -   5. A chair with handles that can be held to stabilize the user        as they sit down on the chair as well as stabilize the user        while sitting/rocking.    -   6. A chair that has adjustable protection against rocking too        far in any one direction.    -   7. A chair that has no back and can easily fit under a desk and        table.    -   8. A chair with a seat that can be either flat or convex        depending on the need of the user.

It will be appreciated that the detailed description set forth above ismerely illustrative in nature and variations that do not depart from thegist and/or spirit of the claimed subject matter are intended to bewithin the scope of the claims. Such variations are not to be regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A chair, comprising: a unitary body generallyforming two side portions, a seat portion supported by the two sideportions at the top, the unitary body having the generalized shape of aninverted “U”, the two side portions configured to contact the flooralong bottom edges, the bottom edges including a curvature along thelength of the edges to allow rocking motion of the chair while a user isseated on the seat portion.
 2. The chair of claim 1, wherein the sideportions are formed with a compound concave curvature.
 3. The chair ofclaim 1, wherein the seat portion includes a handle aperture formedtherein.
 4. The chair of claim 1, wherein the seat portion includes twohandle apertures formed therein.
 5. The chair of claim 1, wherein theseat portion includes a generally flat seating area on the seat portion.6. The chair of claim 1, wherein the seat portion includes a generallycurved seating area on the seat portion.
 7. The chair of claim 1,wherein the bottom edges include one or more stoppers located along thecurved edge configured to indicate the limit of the chair rockingmotion.
 8. The chair of claim 1, wherein the bottom edges include one ormore stoppers located along the curved edge configured to preventrocking of the chair past a limit.
 9. The chair of claim 1, wherein theunitary body is formed of plastic.
 10. The chair of claim 1, wherein theunitary body is formed of plywood.
 11. A chair, comprising: two sideportions; a seat portion supported by the two side portions at the top,the two side portions and the seat portion together forming thegeneralized shape of an inverted “U”, two edges of the side portionsconfigured to contact the floor along bottom edges of the side portions,the edges including a curvature along the length of the edges to allowrocking motion of the chair while a user is seated on the seat portion.12. The chair of claim 11, wherein the side portions are formed with acompound concave curvature.
 13. The chair of claim 11, wherein the seatportion includes a handle aperture formed therein.
 14. The chair ofclaim 11, wherein the seat portion includes two handle apertures formedtherein.
 15. The chair of claim 11, wherein the seat portion includes agenerally flat seating area on the seat portion.
 16. The chair of claim11, wherein the seat portion includes a generally curved seating area onthe seat portion.
 17. The chair of claim 11, wherein the bottom edgesinclude one or more stoppers located along the curved edge configured toindicate the limit of the chair rocking motion.
 18. The chair of claim11, wherein the bottom edges include one or more stoppers located alongthe curved edge configured to prevent rocking of the chair past a limit.19. The chair of claim 11, wherein the unitary body is formed ofplywood.
 20. A chair, comprising: two side means; a seat means supportedby the two side means at the top, the two side means and the seat meanstogether forming the generalized shape of an inverted “U”, two edgemeans of the side means configured to contact the floor along bottomedges of the side means, the edge means including a curvature along thelength of the edge means to allow rocking motion of the chair while auser is seated on the seat means.